Entertainment briefs, May 9

PHOTO SUBMITTED
In the Ritz Players musical drama “Next to Normal,” Diana Goodman (played by Mimi Johnston, left) has decided to leave home for a while to "find herself" and she informs her husband, Dan (played by Dustin Rawlins, seated), of her decision.

Ritz Players to present ‘Next to Normal’ next two weekends

The Ritz Players are to present the musical drama “Next to Normal” this weekend and the next.

Performances are set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and May 18, and at 2 p.m. May 19 in The National Theatre, at the rear of 30 S. Washington St.

“Next to Normal” is about an a family who is anything but normal — Dad’s an architect; Mom rushes to pack lunches and pour cereal; their daughter and son are bright, wise-cracking teens, appearing to be a typical American family.

Yet their lives are anything but normal because the mother has been battling manic depression for 16 years. “Next to Normal” takes audiences into the minds and hearts of each character, presenting their family’s story with love, sympathy and heart. It was the winner of three 2009 Tony Awards, including Best Musical Score.

Starring in the show are Star Theatre veterans Lori Lavery as Violet and Kristina Pritchard as Doralee, with Hannah Fuller making her debut on the Star’s stage as Judy. Their boss, Franklin Hart Jr., is portrayed by Andy Lavery, and Violet’s love interest, Joe, is played by Wayne Rowe. Candy Boyd is Roz Keith, office snitch. Eric Mosley plays Dwayne, Doralee’s husband, and Mike Webb rounds out the featured roles as Judy’s ex-husband, Dick.